Best Craft Breweries In Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Amsterdam in the Netherlands has a thriving community of craft breweries, offering a fine selection of beers that put a local spin on classic flavors. Check out one of our favorites.

Brouwerij ‘t Ij

This brewery is a household name in the Netherlands and its beers can be brought from many of Amsterdam’s trendier cafes. The Brouwerij’t Ij brewery is located underneath one of Amsterdam’s iconic windmills just outside of the city’s up and coming Oost district. Brouwij ‘t Ij has a large tasting room furnished in traditional Dutch decor. In the summer the brewery opens its canal side terrace. You can try one of the brewery’s mainstays like natte or zatte, or pick from its revolving seasonal menu. Tours are available as well as tasting sessions on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Butcher’s Tears

Butcher’s Tears is at the forefront of brewing culture and is dedicated to the development of its craft. The team behind this brewery combines historic methods with pioneering experimentation to create beers with familiar, yet surprising, flavors. The brewery is in the heart of Amsterdam-Zuid and has an intimate tasting room designed by minimalist virtuoso, Jair Schrashnow. Expect beers with unusual names, including ‘The Last Possession’ or ‘Saison en Enfer’ that express Butcher’s Tears unconventional approach to brewing. Beer lovers can also take in the local music scene at one of the brewery’s regular festivals or concerts.

Brewpub De Prael

You might have accidentally passed by de Prael if you were wandering through Amsterdam’s city center. The brew-pub is tucked away inside of the historic De Wallen district and is surprisingly spacious considering its location. De Prael is a traditional Dutch brewery that keeps to time-honed techniques, believing that brewing is a matter of patience and craftsmanship. Typical Dutch meals and snacks are also available, with many dishes using the brewery’s beer as a key ingredient. Tours can be arranged through the brewery’s website and end with beer-tasting sessions.

Brouwerij Troost

Troost is Amsterdam’s biggest independent brewery and was originally a small-scale enterprise put together by three local restauranteurs. The brewery opened its door in 2014 and was an overnight success. Today, Troost has two breweries in Amsterdam and is expected to open a third in the near future. The first is housed inside of a converted monastery on the border of Amsterdam’s popular de Pijp district. This location is used for experimentation, with Troost dedicating a whole building towards perfecting their beers. Their second brewery is much larger and was built to accommodate Troost’s growing needs. This brewery is part of Amsterdam’s Westerpark and offers guided tours along with brewing workshops.

Two Chefs Brewing

As its name suggests, this brewery is the brainchild of two chefs. It began as a side project that combined the pair’s culinary skills with their passion for craft beer and quickly developed into a successful business. The brewery is known for its colorful varieties, creating different spiced beers with full bodied flavors. Two Chefs recently set up shop in the north of Amsterdam and their beer can be bought directly from their brewery or from specialist shops throughout the Netherlands. The brewery doesn’t have a taproom but does organize events and pop-up kitchens around the city, where its eponymous chefs will pair your beer with delicious food.

Oedipus Brewery

Oedipus was created by four friends who were united by their love for beer. It has since grown into one of the Netherlands’ leading independent breweries. The brewery aims to expand Dutch beer culture by refining traditional techniques and embracing diversity. It creates a wide variety of beers that appeal to all tastes and preferences. Its taproom is attached to the brewery’s headquarters in Amsterdam-Noord and offers 12 seasonal beers. This location also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including jam sessions and pop-up food markets.